Carving large slabs of meat can be tricky, no matter how sharp your knife blade is. An electric knife can make things a lot easier for you. An electric knife can do a big job, like a 20-pound Thanksgiving turkey or thinly sliced roast beef, much more manageable. If you are interested in taking advantage of the benefits that cordless electric knives have to offer, then you come to the right place!
In this article, we will be discussing the essential factors of a quality electric knife. What are the specific features that you should look out for, and what other aspects should you consider? We will answer these and other questions below.
Now, then – let us begin your search for the best cordless electric knife in the market today! Our top picks are below. Each have gone through rigorous tests, and we also took into consideration the overall feedback of the product to give you a broader understanding of what each can deliver.
Editor’s Quick Picks
Hold up a minute! In a hurry and don’t have the time or patience to read through our entire article? That’s okay! Here we have our top three picks of cordless electric knives. We separated each based on overall value for money, premium-grade quality, and a budget-friendly option.
Best Overall
Cuisinart AC Electric Knife
Cuisinart is one of the most trusted brand names for kitchenware, so it is not surprising for them to deliver one of the more well-rounded products in this category. The Cuisinart AC Electric Knife is affordable and is quite powerful. The blade is also incredibly sturdy and solid – and coupled with its powerful motor; this can cut through thick pieces of meat with relative ease.
High-End Pick
Bubba Li-Ion Cordless Electric Knife
This beast looks more like one of those weapons in sci-fi games like Fallout than a kitchen tool. Its heavy-duty appearance is not just for show, though, as the Bubba Cordless Electric Knife can perform under duress like it is nothing. The Bubba is a premium pick and comes with a top-tier build, powerful motor, and an assortment of blades for every occasion.
Budget Pick
Black + Decker Electric Carving Knife
It is the most affordable entry on our list, but considering it is manufactured by Black + Decker, you know it will meet your expectations. The Black and Decker electric knife is a barebones knife and cuts without any extra bells and whistles.
Cordless Electric Knife Buying Guide – Things to Consider
Since you are already at this point of the article, then you already have a good grasp of the benefits of having an electric knife in your kitchen. If you are still unsure how to go about your search, continue reading as we will be giving you pointers on approaching looking and buying a cordless electric knife.
Here are six key factors to consider when buying a cordless electric knife:
1. Blade Type
Several types of blades were designed to handle specific cuts. Once you know this, you can fully optimize your food cutting for the best results. Here are the different types of blade attachments and which particular task they are meant for:
Serrated Blades – Primarily, serrated edge knives are best suited for cutting bread. The serrated edge allows the knife to put pressure mainly on the tip of each serration on the blade. The serrations prevent soft materials from getting dragged around by the knife. Serrated edges are also ideal for cutting and slicing small pieces of meat such as tuna and beef.
Curved Type – Curved blades are best suited for precision slicing and cutting smaller foods such as fish. Curved edges are typically slimmer than your standard kitchen knife blades, making them ideal for handling delicate produce.
Straight Type – For cutting through extra thick slabs of meat, a straight-edge blade is the best solution. If you are looking to carve large pieces of meat, always go with straight edge blades. These blades are distinguished not only by their straight shape but also by their thicker width and robust structure.
2. Blade Length
Besides the various blade types and their specific uses, you should also consider the length of the blade. Different length blades will be far more suitable for particular types of food preparation. For example, for precision slicing and smaller types of produce, a 7 to 8-inch blade is the best length as it provides more control and precision.
For preparing larger and tougher produce, you should opt for blades that measure more than 9-inches in length. This should offer more leverage and power to cut through thicker and harder food.
3. Blade Handle
The cordless electric knife handle is an often overlooked feature. People tend to focus on the blade and power. However, your comfort should not take the back end of the priority lane. An electric knife with a poorly designed handle can strain your hands and even cause injuries down the road. Awkward arm positioning and accidentally losing your grip are two of the main issues regarding an uncomfortable knife handle.
To avoid this issue, we recommend you go for electric knives with an ergonomically designed handle. The good news is that this has become the standard nowadays. So, you won’t have any issue finding an electric knife that offers excellent performance and comfort.
It would help if you also considered whether the knife was designed specifically for right-handed individuals or suitable for left-handed and right-handed use.
4. Safety Features
Compared to traditional knives, an electric knife needs to be handled with extra care. Electric knives generate considerably more power and can cause injuries by just getting too close to the sharp end of the blade. You should check to see if the electric knife comes with safety features to help lower the risk of accidents in the kitchen when using this powerful kitchen cutting/slicing tool.
For example, the power switch should be located near the handle in an easily accessible position. Having the ability to access these buttons quickly is imperative in an electric knife. Users should be able to quickly turn the device on or off at a moment’s notice.
5. Convenience
Besides the key specifications and main features, you should also consider how convenient it is to use the device overall. In my case, I hate it when a particular device that I have is difficult to clean. It would help if you considered how easy it is to clean the electric knife after use. Also, remember to take all the water-sensitive components out of your cordless electric knife, such as the battery.
I recommend you go with a cordless electric knife that can be disassembled and reassembled relatively easily. This allows for quicker, easier, and more thorough cleaning after use. Additionally, if it is dishwasher-safe, then all the better!
6. Battery Life
Since we are discussing cordless electric knives, it is vital to ensure decent battery life. If you stay in the kitchen for a considerable amount of time, the last thing you want is for your cordless electric knife to run out of juice mid-way through your food prep.
For everyday kitchen use, we recommend you go with electric knives that offer up to 30-minutes of battery life with one full charge. For outdoor activities such as camping trips, we recommend you opt for higher-end models that can deliver up to 1-hour of battery life.
7. Price
Cordless electric knives come in a broad range of prices. While going with an affordable model is enticing and seems practical, you should consider the quality and the long-term performance of your electric knife. Cheaper is not always better, and this is true with the cordless electric knife. Know your budget and how often you will be using a cordless electric knife.
If you are only looking at occasional use, budget-friendly models that cost around $30 should suffice. That said, models that are within the $75 price range are typically the most well-rounded. If you are looking for the best quality and performance, you should look at the $100 and above models. High-end electric knives are more powerful, have longer-lasting batteries, and will also come with extra accessories.
The Best Cordless Electric Knife Reviews in the Market Today
Below, are detailed reviews of every cordless electric knife in this list and hope that we make it easier for you to choose one.
1. Cuisinart AC Electric Knife
Features:
- Blade Type: Serrated.
- Blade Length: 7-inches.
- Dimensions: 4 x 12.25 x 5.75-inches.
- Weight: 3.36 lbs.
Cuisinart is a well-known brand in the kitchenware market, and it is not surprising to find one of their products to make it to any “best of” list online. This electric knife model features high-grade micro-serrated stainless-steel blades designed to cut through both bread and meat efficiently. This model can be taken apart with the blade having a quick-release function. The serrated edge is also dishwasher-safe for easier clean-up.
The Cuisinart AC Electric Knife features a comfortable and ergonomic handle that is designed for ambidextrous use. The package will also come with a carving/serving fork and a bamboo cutting board. As for safety features, you will find a safety lock that automatically activates whenever the trigger is released.
Pros:
- This model has a durable build with comfortable ergonomic handles.
- There is a safety lock button implemented into this electric knife that reduces accidents significantly.
- You will get a carving/serving fork as well as a bamboo cutting board.
- It is designed for both left-handed and right-handed use, suitable for everyone.
Cons:
- The body/handle casing feels flimsy and might not withstand any considerable impact.
- The Cuisinart AC Electric Knife is quite noisy and distracting at first when you are not used to it.
Our Verdict:
Despite a few design flaws, the Cuisinart AC Electric Knife is one of the more well-rounded models that you can find at a relatively low price. Consider this when looking for a budget-friendly electric knife that you will use every now and again.
2. Hamilton Beach Electric Knife
Features:
- Blade Type: Serrated.
- Blade Length: 10-inches.
- Dimensions: 11.42 x 4.13 x 3.15-inches.
- Weight: 2.07 lbs.
An alternative to the Cuisinart AC Electric Knife, the Hamilton Beach Electric Knife manages to match up to the Cuisinart model, beat by beat. Hamilton Beach Electric Knife also comes with its carving fork and storage case. It is also relatively lightweight in comparison to the other entries in this list.
The Hamilton Beach Electric Knife is more compact as well and can easily be stored properly. The serrated blade is longer, which offers more durability. Hamilton Beach even recommends this electric knife for DIY projects. We do have to note that the power button is located in an awkward position.
Pros:
- This is a lightweight and compact electric knife that comes with its own storage case.
- The package comes with a carving fork accessory. This will save you time & money, of course.
- Solid 10-inch serrated blade is designed for carving larger meat such as turkey with relative ease.
Cons:
- We noticed that the Hamilton Beach Electric Knife is susceptible to overheating as it gets noticeably hot.
Our Verdict:
The Hamilton Beach Electric Knife is a reliable carving tool that can efficiently help you cut turkey during Thanksgiving. It is also quite compact and can easily fit inside your kitchen cupboard after use. If you are looking for an electric knife that you can whip out occasionally at a moment’s notice and tuck away just as fast, this might be for you.
3. Black + Decker Electric Carving Knife
Features:
- Blade Type: Serrated.
- Blade Length: 9-inches.
- Dimensions: 9 x 2 x 2.5-inches.
- Weight: 0.75 lbs.
The Black + Decker Electric Carving Knife is super lightweight and is equipped with some extra features that help elevate it from the crowd. For example, a safety lock button prevents it from accidentally turning on when not in use.
Additional features include a non-slip grip tab to allow for improved grip. The handle also has an ergonomic design for better comfort. The 9-inch serrated blades are pretty durable and can cut through slabs of meat with minimal effort.
Pros:
- Extremely durable serrated blade that does not require any sharpening for maintenance.
- The blades are also dishwasher-safe which makes cleaning quick and easy.
- The blade design includes a non-slip tab for safer removable after use.
Cons:
- The safety feature means you will need to constantly hold the power button to operate it. This is a bit inconvenient at times.
Our Verdict:
This is a fantastic electric knife from a well-established brand. While the safety feature does make operating it a bit tedious, it is for safety purposes. The blades are high-grade and as sharp as they come. We doubt you will find any issues here in regards to its durability.
4. Bubba Li-Ion Cordless Electric Knife
Features:
- Blade Type: Serrated.
- Blade Length: 7-inches, 9-inches, and 12-inches.
- Dimensions: 17 x 6.25 x 3.7-inches.
- Weight: 1.11 lbs.
This premium-grade cordless electric knife is one designed to cover all bases. Not only does it come with four serrated blades of varying lengths, but it is also a model that comes with impressively long battery life (3 to 4 hours) on a full charge. However, this prolonged battery life does come at the expense of a slower speed. That said, it is still powerful enough to easily carve and cut its way through thick slabs of meat.
The serrated blades are also not your standard blades as these are double-sided and are coated with titanium nitride for optimum durability and corrosion resistance. The inclusion of four serrated edges also increases the versatility of the Bubba Electric Knife to handle all types of produce. While it is true that the Bubba Electric Knife’s power leaves room for improvement, the razor-like sharpness of the blades manages to balance out the weaker power output.
Pros:
- The high-grade stainless-steel, double-sided, titanium-nitride blades are extremely sharp and durable.
- The Bubba Electric Knife comes with a sturdy carrying case, making it superior when cutting things.
- Incredibly long battery life of up to 4 hours on a single charge.
Cons:
- Relatively slower power in comparison to the other entries in this list.
Our Verdict:
This is as complete a package as they come in regards to cordless electric knives. The Bubba Electric Knife comes with extra serrated blades that are some of the sharpest that we have encountered. In addition, the 4-hour battery life makes this a suitable companion for camping trips as well.
5. Hamilton Beach Electric Carving Knife
Features:
- Blade Type: Serrated.
- Blade Length: 7-inches.
- Dimensions: 6.25 x 6.25 x 12.25-inches.
- Weight: 1.98 lbs.
Another well-rounded electric knife from Hamilton Beach, the 74275 model, delivers a rudimentary performance. It comes with a storage case, which makes bringing it over to your neighbors relatively easy. It is also quite compact and can be stored neatly in your kitchen cupboard.
This is one of the most basic and straightforward electric knives that you can find. We also liked how the stainless-steel serrated blades never need any sharpening. You can also easily remove the blades for easy cleaning. This electric knife from Hamilton Beach also comes with a carving fork. We found one issue with the handle that might be too large for some, which may prevent them from getting a good grip on this electric knife.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use and basic design for those who prefer a traditional electric knife.
- The stainless-steel serrated blades are durable and will not require any sharpening.
- It comes with an affordable price tag and a good bang for your buck.
Cons:
- The power button is awkwardly placed on the handle. You might need some time to get used to it.
- The handle feels a bit too large and round to allow for a proper or secure grip.
Our Verdict:
The Hamilton Beach Electric Carving Knife 74275 is a pretty bare bones type model that forgoes any bells and whistles. It has a robust and sharp serrated blade and an on/off switch. That pretty much covers its features. That said, it handles cutting and carving like a pro. If there is one drawback here, it is with its cumbersome handle. Other than that, this is quite a decent electric knife.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to cordless electric knife, each model has their own specific strengths and weaknesses. You must be able to distinguish and determine these pros and cons for you to figure out which is better suited for what you need. As a parting advice, I recommend you invest on a quality electric knife from the mid to high-end price bracket. These models provide a more comprehensive list of features and are typically well-made.